Bill 167.

Summary.

The bill amends Article 61 of the consolidated text of Law 49 of December 4, 1984, which adopts the Organic Rules of Internal Procedure of the National Assembly (ASAMBLEA NACIONAL). The amendment sets out the functions of the Foreign Relations Committee (Comisión de Relaciones Exteriores) in a single article and adds the review of ambassadors and consuls designated by the Executive Branch (Órgano Ejecutivo) to the matters it handles. The committee would study and propose bills and issue opinions on the subjects listed in that provision.

Those subjects include international treaties, agreements, conventions and conferences. They also include matters concerning the maintenance of the Panamanian State’s relations with foreign states, the service of the Republic’s Diplomatic and Consular Corps, and claims made for any reason by diplomats or foreign governments. The list further covers state protocol and ceremonial matters and the Diplomatic Career. Article 61 thus brings together the committee’s functions concerning international instruments, diplomatic and consular relations, and the state’s protocol affairs.

The article also assigns the Foreign Relations Committee matters concerning the participation of the Republic of Panama (República de Panamá) in the United Nations (Organización de las Naciones > Unidas) and in international, regional and subregional organizations of which the Republic is a member. This participation is among the subjects on which the committee could study and propose bills and issue opinions, alongside the other foreign relations matters listed in Article 61.

For diplomatic and consular designations, the committee would examine the professional profile and work plan submitted by each ambassador or consul designated by the Executive Branch. On that basis, it would issue an opinion assessing the designated person’s suitability and experience, together with the alignment of the work plan with the strategic priorities of Panamanian foreign policy. The review concerns each designated person and the documents submitted for the performance of that person’s duties.

The committee would address a reasoned, nonbinding opinion on its assessment to the Executive Branch. That opinion could include observations and recommendations for adjustments intended to strengthen the designated person’s performance. Article 2 expressly identifies the amendment to Article 61 of the consolidated text of Law 49 of December 4, 1984. Article 3 provides that the proposed law would enter into force on the day following its promulgation.

The public bodies connected with the bill are the National Assembly, its Foreign Relations Committee and the Executive Branch. Its provisions could be of interest to people serving in or seeking to enter the Republic of Panama’s diplomatic and consular service, and to sectors involved in international relations and state representation before other governments and organizations.